When we were kids, most of us were taught to remember the phrase ‘health is wealth’. As we grew up, the stress of life settled in, and we realised that health is not just about physical well-being.
Over the last couple of years, the taboos around mental health have slowly started to fade away. On the occasion of World Health Day, we’d like to talk about the importance of our emotional wellness.
To understand the connection between mental health and sexual wellness, we reached out to a mental health expert. Dr Roma Kumar, a Psychologist and the Founding Partner of the healthcare firm Emotionally gave us insights into how our mental health is connected to our sexuality.
Sex Is Not Just About Our Bodies
People often believe that sex is not entirely a physical act but has an emotional side as well. But what does it really mean for us? Dr Roma shared, “We often think of sex as something our bodies are doing, but a lot of our sex life takes place in our brains. Sex includes creativity and laughter, but also confusion, mistakes, clumsiness, misunderstandings and varying intensity of desire.”
She added, “These are all healthy parts of sexuality, and by creating space for all of these in our relationships, we make it harder for anxiety and negative thoughts to undermine our sexual well-being.”
For most adults, their sexuality forms an integral and cherished part of their lives. Whether that sexuality is expressed with a partner, with several partners, or alone, our sex life can be a source of meaning and great pleasure in our lives.
The Relationship Between Mental Health And Sexual Well-Being
According to Dr Roma your struggle with mental illness doesn’t mean you lose your cherished sexuality. So how do mental health struggles impact our natural sexual urges? “Anxiety and other related mental health ailments can make it hard to be relaxed enough to have or enjoy sex, overshadowing it with a host of worries or intrusive distractions. When we are unwell and struggling just to function, sex is rarely at the top of our minds.”
She added that many people struggle far more than necessary because they don’t have the information and support they need. When it comes to mental health, awareness and acceptance are the most important tools.
Ways To Prevent Sexual Problems When You Are Struggling With Mental Health
Perhaps one of the most common questions that people have is how can they maintain their sexual wellness if they are not in the best mental space? As per Dr Roman, there are a few things that you can do, such as:
- Avoid the usage of substance, alcohol and tobacco as they can affect sexual function
- Stay healthy by exercising, eating a balanced diet and maintaining healthy body weight
- Talk and express openly and honestly with your partner about what you’re feeling, mentally, sexually and physically
- Work with your psychiatrist to choose medications with the fewest known sexual side effects.
Just like any physical ailment, mental illness is what you are fighting against, not who you are. We all have a right to enjoy and appreciate our sexuality in whatever way we desire. When it comes to mental health struggles, the most important thing to remember is—don’t be afraid of asking for help!
Feature Image Credit: Pexels
